Shawnee — The Class 5A State Cross Country Meet was a learning experience for the Duncan boys, which finished seventh overall. Four of the top six runners for coach Todd Ledford saved their best for last, turning in their best times of the year.
“I thought we ran real well,” Ledford said. “We were one point from sixth and 20 from fifth. It was real close.
“Finishing seventh with this many young kids is a real accomplishment.”
Justin Hughes led Duncan, finishing 22nd overall with a time of 17:56. For Hughes, it was his best time of the year in only three races run.
“I was pretty impressed with him,” Ledford said. “I think he really enjoyed it although he was upset. He thought he led the team down but you couldn’t ask much more from him.”
Anthony Shircliff was next on the list for Duncan, placing 45th with a time of 18:34. Bryce Rowland, the only senior on Duncan’s team, was 56th with a time of 18:52, a personal best.
Dylan Mettler also set a personal best, placing 62nd in a time of 18:58, 30 seconds off his previous best mark. Ren Contreras turned in the fifth best time for Duncan, placing 79th in a time of 19:35, also a personal best.
Connor Holland was 82nd with a time of 19:41 and Andy Stewart was next, turning in a time of 20:18.
The race, which was run at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, featured a quick paces start that forced the Demon contingent to make adjustments on the fly.
“The first mile was fast paced and it might have thrown them off a little bit,” Ledford said. “It was a big adjustment and a mental
adjustment.”
Duncan spent the season ranked outside of the Top 10 but forced its way into the mix with Saturday’s finish. With six of the top seven runners returning for next season, Ledford is optimistic that the team can take another step forward.
“I’ve got these kids for several more years,” Ledford said. “It looks good for the future.”
Sports
Setting the foundation for next year
Duncan places seventh at cross country meet
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WELL STATED
Britton Scott and Kelsey LeValley didn’t earn titles at the state tennis tournament like they hoped to, but they can rest assured they will still get a chance to end their high school careers on a high note.
Scott and LeValley were among the eight players selected to the Girls’ West All-State Tennis Team, which was announced Wednesday. They will take on the East team on July 24 at the University of Tulsa. -
Under new management
Sometimes, change can be a good thing. For the Marlow Outlaws football team, this season is gearing up to be full of it.
After a disappointing 1-9 finish to the season, which included six losses by 10 points or less, there was a change of command for MHS.
On April 20, Rob Renshaw, who had spent the past six seasons at Putnam City High School as the offensive coordinator, was named the official head coach of the Outlaws. -
Laying the foundation
Last season, the Velma-Alma Comets had a nightmare start to their year.
After losing its first five games, along with star running back Checotah Lynn to a knee injury, V-A was looking at an unthinkable losing season.
However, the Comets rebounded to win six straight games and earn second place in district, eventually reaching the second round of the playoffs before falling to Minco 51-18.
Monday evening saw the Comets hard at work on Edgar Martin Field as they try and build upon the success of 2011. -
Blowout is as big as ever in 35th year
The driving range has seen an increase in popularity, the putting green is getting more use and the course professionals are devoting more of their days to giving lessons.
With the 35th Annual Blowout Tournament this weekend at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club, it isn’t a time to be rusty. -
First Impressions
Even before the rooster could finish his morning crows Monday, the Central High football team was hard at work at Broncho Stadium.
Enthusiasm was high and the pads were clapping as 18 CHHS players hit the field for the first time in 2012.
This marked the first official practice under head coach Andy Claborn, who takes over a Bronchos squad that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2011 with a 5-5 record. -
Scramble helps send Stevens to Pinehurst
Thanks to his performances in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments in Oklahoma City, Caden Stevens earned a spot in the World Championships.
Thanks to his fellow Stephens County residents, he will get to go.
Fifty-six players took part in the Team Caden Classic scramble on Saturday at Twin Oaks Golf Club. Between them and sponsorships from 11 local businesses, around $2,800 was raised to help send Stevens to Pinehurst, N.C., where he will compete at the storied golf resort against some of the best 7-year-olds in the world. -
Cards win Jess Welch title
Even though Duncan experienced a slight shower Sunday morning, it wasn’t enough to halt the final day of the Jess Welch Memorial Tournament at Abe Raizen Park.
In the championship of the 10-&-under division, it was an all-Duncan final between the Cardinals and Yankees, both of which survived semifinal matchups against teams from outside of Stephens County to advance earlier in the day.
Four runs in each of the first three innings proved to be too much for the Yankees to handle as the red birds took home the championship with a 15-0 victory in four innings. -
Area players shine at All-Star game
If fans attending Saturday night’s 23rd annual Southwest Senior Bowl at Cameron Stadium were looking for a friendly exhibition game amongst the players, they got just the opposite.
But, through all the chaos and controversy, the players representing Stephens County turned in solid performances, with Comanche’s Johnny Heath and Duncan’s Daniel McCoy scoring touchdowns on the evening.
In the end it was Heath’s South team coming away with the 26-14 victory over the North. -
DHS girls' coach McClung resigning
Andrew McClung verbally accepted the position of girls’ head basketball coach at Cache High School on Thursday, and he said he plans to give Duncan his official resignation on Tuesday.
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Waurika names Edelman head football coach
At a meeting in April, the board of education voted to rehire Glenn Howard as a teacher and assistant coach for the 2012-13 school year. At that time, Danny Edelman was also rehired as head coach in the football program, which will be moving to the eight-man level in the 2012 season.
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